No trees please: A number of Beach Road homeowners have opposed tree plantings along the road. Picture: Gary Sissons
KINGSTONNEWS all the latest Council events, projects and activities 1300 653 356
kingston.vic.gov.au
cityofkingston
KINGSTON’S
Petition on Beach Road planting THE debate surrounding Beach Road has once again reared its head at a Kingston Council meeting, as Cr Geoff Gledhill tabled a petition with 466 signatures opposing the planned planting of trees along the road. Cr Gledhill said on 25 February that “I have a petition from 466 residents that I’d like to present to the CEO relating to the trees in Beach Road.” “What they are seeking is public consultation on the process. The boulevard style tree planting concept has not been part of any public consultation process and they’re seeking public discussion,” he said. Cr Gledhill said the signatures were from “residents”, but Cr Ron Brownlees conceded that “some of the people are not necessarily locals who signed the petition, that happens when you expose it to the online component.” “This was collected in a very, very short time,” Cr Brownlees said. “What it does demonstrate is the anguish, concern, and frustration about our processes and the lack of consultation.”
The tree plantings on Beach Road have been the subject of prolonged debate at Kingston Council meetings this year, with councillors storming out of meetings after votes and repeated interjection from members of the public, who have been warned that security may have to remove them. Councillors voted on 29 January to move to refer the matter to IBAC for investigation. That vote was rescinded on 11 February at a special meeting of council. The mayor Georgina Oxley said at the 11 February meeting that “if there are members of council or community members that feel that [the process has been improper], it is their right to go to IBAC. Members of the community have done so, and received letters back from IBAC saying there is nothing to investigate.” “The process has been made openly and transparently. In my personal opinion this is a stunt. This issue has been designed to particularly smear some councillors. I am confident in the process council has followed,” she said (Trial on trail called off by divided council”, The News, 13/2/19).
MENSWEAR
PRICE ½
up to
WOOL SUITS were $349
$
now
149 small to 62
callucci MENSWEAR
84 Wells Street, Frankston
Ph: 9783 3119 opening hours
Tue- Fri 9.30 - 4.45pm, Sat 10.15 - 4pm Closed MONDAYS a/h enquiries 0412 213 272 • McDonald’s
NEPEAN HWY
callucci suits
PANTS $ 39 to size 50
$79
were $69
NOW
Join us for a fun-filled day out for both two and four-legged family members at Kingston’s Pet Expo. Please note dogs must be on a leash at all times. Owners can also register their pets at the event.
free!
More information can be found at: kingston.vic.gov.au/pet-expo
Saturday 30 March, 10am - 3pm KINGSTON HEATH RESERVE, CHELTENHAM MENTONE UPGRADE
Works are on track in Mentone to improve the streetscape and pave the way for a new community piazza, with construction expected to be completed mid-2019. When Mentone Parade reopens in late March, the section of Florence Street between Mentone Parade and Como Parade West will close permanently. The section of Mentone Parade between Florence Street and Como Parade West (southbound only) will transition to a bus lane only. FIND OUT MORE kingston.vic.gov.au/mentone
GRANTS
Applications for the 2019-2020 Community Grants are now open. Thousands of dollars are available to help local community groups, artists and children’s organisations build a stronger, healthier and socially connected Kingston. FIND OUT MORE kingston.vic.gov.au/grants Charities helping make a positive difference in Kingston are also invited to apply for the 2019 Kingston Charitable Fund Grants Program – open until 11 March. FIND OUT MORE kingston.vic.gov.au/charitablefund
CULTURAL DIVERSITY WEEK
Almost half of our residents were either born overseas or have at least one parent who was born overseas. Held 16 - 24 March, Kingston Cultural Diversity Week is a fantastic way to celebrate the everyday diversity of our community. Share stories, join in games, discover traditions, dine ‘around the world’ and more! FIND OUT MORE kingston.vic.gov.au/cultural-diversity
ARTS BLITZ
The community’s favourite visual arts and creative writing competition returns with thousands of dollars to be won. The competition begins when the secret theme is announced on Friday 15 March. Artists and writers then have 24 hours to create an artwork or piece of creative writing and deliver it to Kingston Arts Centre for exhibition. FIND OUT MORE kingstonarts.com.au
SHIRTS $39 LEATHER$ SHOES were $99
55 Chelsea Mordialloc Mentone News 6 March 2019
PAGE 5